GE Powers Seadrill’s West Mira Rig

GE’s Power Conversion business (NYSE: GE) has signed a multi-million dollar contract with shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) of Ulsan, South Korea.

GE will supply electric power, propulsion systems and drilling drives for a new semi-submersible drilling platform HHI is building for Seadrill Ltd., which is expected to work in either the North Sea or offshore Canada.

“By using our diesel electric power and propulsion technology the components like generators, drives, controlers and switchboards will be optimized to provide an efficient system arrangement and increase overall system availability. This is a necessary requirement for reliable position keeping capabilities and for electrical drilling operation needs”, said Paul English marine vertical leader, GE’s Power Conversion business.

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The sixth generation semi-submersible, based on a Moss Maritime CS60 design will be built in accordance with Norwegian regulatory body Det Norske Veritas’ (DNV) dynamic positioning DP3 class – the highest notation in terms of design to withstand specified instances of equipment failure.

West Mira, a sixth generation ultra-deepwater semi-submersible drilling rig, will be capable of drilling wells up to 40,000 feet deep in up to 10,000 feet of water. This makes the rig one of the most technically capable semi-submersibles in Seadrill’s fleet.